IRVING (105.3 THE FAN) — The Cowboys defense took a step towards taking shape on Tuesday morning as projected opening-day starting cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne were both in pads for the club’s first post-training-camp practice back at Valley Ranch.

“‘I did the whole thing,” said Carr, dressed out for the first time all summer after missing the bulk of camp in Oxnard due to the death of his mother. “They (coaches and trainers) let me go.”

There is a slightly more cautious approach with Claiborne, who injured his right shoulder in practice last week and before that missed time with tendinitis in his knee. He didn’t play in the club’s second preseason game Saturday against Baltimore but would ideally like to participate in Saturday’s “dress-rehearsal” preseason test at Miami.

“Our corners,” said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, speaking to “Shan & RJ” on 105.3 The Fan, “should be the strength of our team.”

Orlando Scandrick has actually been Dallas’ best corner, and he is practicing, too — though he faces a four-game PED suspension once the season starts.

Rookie defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (fractured right foot) was at Valley Ranch and reported that his rehab is going well. Linebacker DeVonte Holloman was not present, as he is in San Antonio meeting with doctors about a neck injury that could be serious.

Tony Romo and the first-team offense worked together with the stated plan from Jones that the quarterback might play two series in Miami before he exits.

Mike Fisher is an award-winning newspaper journalist, the author of two regional best-selling books (with forwards written by Jerry Jones and Troy Aikman), a popular public speaker and a radio-and-TV personality with 20 years of experience...